Ask Your Question

Angie's List Answers is the trusted spot to ask home improvement and health questions and get answers from service companies, health providers and consumers. For ratings and reviews on companies in your area, search Angie's List.

Question DetailsAsked on 11/20/2013

I have a 100 foot tree in my back yard which leans towards my house, when it snows it really begins to lean over my house, and it makes me very nervous. I am looking to have the tree removed, since my back yard is mainly comprised of woods, the logs and trimmings can just be left in place. Last I spoke with a company about this they said they would need to either bring in a cherry picker or a climber to cut down the tree.

Now this tree is one of those junk pines that grow like crazy in Virginia, not sure of the exact name of the tree, but it has very few branches, only at the top of the tree is where they grow. So really if the tree is cut up into 6 or 7 sections that would pretty much be all that is needed to be done.

I got a quote for this project for $1300, I thought that was crazy.

Anyone have experience with this sort of thing? What kind of ball park estimate should I be looking for?

1 Answer

Based on my experience, the only time I have seen $1300 for a single tree was for total removal (including chipping and removal offsite) of very large overhanging oaks and sycamores with lalrge branches actually overhanging houses, and 100-150 foot conifers which were right next to a house and had no space to fell to the side without damaging another house or powerlines, thereby necessitting "roping down" the tree - cutting into 3-5 foot lengths from the top down, and using ropes to lower each piece to the ground on a rope and with guidelines attached. In that case, your estimate might be in the ballpark, but including full removal.

For just removing without any disposal I would say more like $800 would be reasonable in your case unless you have a powerline or another house nearby you did not talk about or it is already actually overhanging your roof. If it is more than about 10 feet from the house and you have room away from the house to fell it in pieces - like you said, 4-7 pieces, then $500-700 range would be more typical, with no haulaway or chipping. If it can be taken down in one or two pieces, felling it into a large open area away from your house, then $300-400 range would be more typical.

I would say you need more bids, because in our area for 70-100 foot range cottonwoods (which will be up to 6-8 feet in base diameter) we can get crane removal for around $1000 (without removal offsite) - they take up the load with a crane, cut at ground level, swing away from hazards, then lay it down in an open spot like the driveway or along the sidewalk, and cut it up there.